Loan issue what would you do?
 

Long story sorry?.I have a 20ish year old WB, rescued him about 10 years ago and he was extremely nappy, bolshie, unhappy horse who had been through 6+ homes in the previous 10 years, at least 2 of which were dealers, 1 of which is known for his heavy handed methods such as pulling rearers over backwards. The lady I had him off was the loaner who had just had enough of him and owner was lovely and just couldn?t have him back so was considering PTS. She was mis-sold him for her teenage daughter, she had his best interests at heart, had him scoped and treated for ulcers turned him away for a while and then brought him into work before finding him a hacking home. Within few month his behaviour got worse again and loaner chucked him in field until owner decided what to do. I agreed to take him (paid a £1) and agreed would PTS rather then move on again which is why I am really struggling with a decision now! He was very troubled, took months to settle! Lunged, long reined, loads of groundwork. Scoped (no ulcers), teeth, wormed etc, back check and new saddle and I started working in field, previously really well schooled. He seemed to thrive on regular consistent work, OH took him over as he had more time to ride then me, he full on bronked across a main road and OH came off in the opposite hedge on their 1st hack together, he then stood trembling as expecting a beating. We no made big deal out of it he got back on and all was fine for a few weeks then he did it again and OH came off. We swapped horses for a few weeks after that, he never fully bronked with me although could be very nappy, rearing/spinning etc if made to go in front anyway we preserved and after a couple of months I was hacking him on my own and started competing and got a couple placing locally but he never really bonded and felt a bit aloof. OH then randomly hacked him 1 day to save me time and he bronked him off again onto a barbwire fence, we decided he obviously had an issue with men and that OH wouldn?t risk riding him again. Around same time a teenage girl started hanging around at my yard, she was a friend of a livery. She came from a troubled/broken family, this horse was instantly smitten with her. He would follow her round the field and just seemed considerably more at ease when she was around it was as if they healed each other. The girl was skipping school etc so I agreed to give her lessons for free as long as she went to school and did her homework etc. A couple of times in early days I chucked her off yard as she skipped and she soon learnt she actually spend more time with the horses if she behaved. For a number of years she would muck out 13+ stables with me, ride (always this horse, who is a soppy as hell with her!),work the youngster and then I would drop her to school we made a hell of a team and backed some quite troubled horses between us. She also became this horse primary care giver and rider and we all referred to him as her horse. She got him out competing and did amazingly well winning a couple of local leagues, we would take her in our lorry, her family would pay entry fees but we would cover everything else. I also taking her out to restaurants and things she wouldn?t have been able to do as treats when she did something particularly well or worked hard, all ticked along ok, The horse still had issues with other horse but with people and to be ridden by her he was great. Then 18 months ago I lost my yard and had to find new grazing, I no longer had room for liveries, I also didn?t really have room for this horse as he just can?t graze with any others as he will either attack or become overly attached to anything in his field. She was determined she wanted to loan him so I helped find her a place on a local yard where I had a friend to keep an eye and with the right facilities to deal with him, he settled in almost immediately I paid 3 month?s rent up front for her and got hay and feed delivered monthly for the 1st winter to give her chance to find a job and build up some money. Things weren?t great too started with, my friend ended up doing him several times as her lifts let her down, friend then had to move yard (moved away from the area) and 1 morning YO thought they were being helpful and he got turned out with another pony by accident and he pinned it to the floor and ripped its rugs of, the other livery quite rightly was pissed and I ended up paying a vet bill and replacing rugs. Loaner didn?t even says thanks then a few week later he colicked, the loaner called the vet, who didn?t tell me either and the 1st I knew was when a bill arrived! I flipped and called a meeting with loaner and YO after lots of discussions I agreed to give loaner another chance, horse was also swapped to grass livery and I arranged for a weekly hay delivery directly into paddock so I knew 1 horse wouldn?t run out and then gorge so would reduce risk of colic (which I think was the cause of it a few weeks before) and it also prevent anyone else handling him apart from loaner which would prevent any further accidents. In fairness to loaner she?s found a job and worked huge amount of overtime she has taken over paying the rent/hay bill etc. She has also funded her own driving lessons, passed her test, brought a car and passed school exams with flying colours, due to all this the horse has now had best part of 8 months off but he seems healthy and happy whenever I have visited him. Then 2 weeks ago I drop into a different yard to see a friend and I am sat in her tack room and to my surprise I notice my jumping saddle on 1 of her racks, this saddle was new 1 I brought for horse and was in immaculate condition when given to loaner with the horse. I passed comment about that?s very similar to mine and she piped up and said oh yes loaner lend me that! I was so angry I text her and had a bit of a go about lending my stuff without my permission. Friend kept the saddle as had no problem with her actually borrowing it was just the fact I didn?t know! When the saddle wasn?t needed she gave it back to me, its now a lot tattier then when I gave it to her which has upset me a bit but by complete coincidence I was getting saddler out to fit a saddle to 1 of mine and it fits perfectly so has saved me a few pennies. I dropped loaner a message to say as horse out of work I was going to keep saddle for time being as fits other horse. She replied saying she needs it back as she moved horse to different yard (the one I found my saddle) the day before and wants to bring him back into work!! Again I have no problem with the yard move, I like YO and know several people on the yard, it?s a seems a sensible move as the yard she was at has gone downhill she?s now also gone onto part livery as now working full time so I am much happier horse will be looked after properly but she should have asked!I replied saying was a bit annoyed and she said it wasn?t her priority to discuss it with me as her priority is the horse?s happiness!! Anyway I called her and discussed it and she told me I was always interfering! I know she loves and had a special bond with the horse so I offered to sale the horse to her for a £1 which she refused as said she likes that I am a safety net as know I will always pay any outstanding bills!! I now feel completely used and have no idea what to do! I can?t have horse back, I only have 3 paddocks and 5 that live out 24/7 who I know he doesn?t mix well with, she is now demanding HER saddle back or that I buy her a knew 1! So do I give her saddle back and write an iron clad loan contract which stats she's responsible for everything and get her to sign it now she is 18? No contract was done previously as she was a minor and I understood the buck stopped with me but now she is 18 its all seems a bit different.Do I threatened to take him back unless she signs contract but refuse to give her saddle (I can't really afford 1 for my other horse at the moment unless I put it on credit!) but then she might/probably will just use any saddle which will do potential damage to my horse?Go and collect horse but then we will looking at a decision to PTS? In addition to saddle, she had a full wardrobe for him 10+ rugs, bridles, breastplates, grooming kit, feed bins, even her showing jacket was mine. I kitted her/him out with everything, literally £100's worth and the saddle is worth about £450. Horse and rider still have a very obvious bond and I am very proud of what she has achieved with him and at school etc she is a very different to the child I first met but I am fed up with being used!

أكثر...